Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks Game 5 Prediction, Playoff Odds
The Bucks are 2.5-point favourites on the NBA odds with a total of 216.
Hawks vs. Bucks NBA Playoff Odds
On the moneyline for Game 5, the Bucks are -148 and Hawks +123. Both the over and under 216 points (five fewer than Game 4) are -110. With the series tied 2-2, Milwaukee is a -143 favourite and Atlanta +110, but that series line could change in a big way if Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is done for the playoffs (see below).
We are now guaranteed a Game 6, which would be Saturday in Atlanta. Game 7, if necessary, is Monday in Milwaukee. The Bucks are 0-1 in Game 5s in these playoffs, losing 114-108 in Brooklyn in the previous round to fall down 3-2 to the Nets. Atlanta is 2-0 in Game 5s, winning 103-89 in Round 1 at New York to eliminate the Knicks and winning 109-106 in Philadelphia in the last round to take a 3-2 series lead.
Atlanta is 13-4 against the spread in its past 17 trips to Milwaukee. The under is 5-1 in the past six meetings overall.
Atlanta Hawks
Most everyone expected Hawks star Trae Young to play in Game 4 through a bone bruise in his foot (suffered late in the third quarter of Game 3), but about an hour before tip-off he was ruled out. That jumped the spread from Atlanta +6.5 to +9.5. Yet somehow, the Hawks were able to win easily, 110-88. Lou Williams, one of the best Sixth Men in NBA history, got the start for Young and had 21 points on 7-for-9 shooting. Bogdan Bogdanovic, who has been struggling through injury, also stepped up with 20 points. Cam Reddish got his first meaningful minutes of these playoffs and had 12 points and five rebounds off the bench. Atlanta shot 50.6 per cent overall.
Young is being called a game-time decision for Game 5. Centre Clint Capela, who had 15 points and seven rebounds Tuesday, took an elbow to the eye and saw a team ophthalmologist but there is “optimism” that he will play. The Hawks are 15-5-1 ATS in their past 21 following a double-digit win.
Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee may have not won Game 4 regardless as the Bucks were not matching Atlanta’s desperation/intensity, but any shot the Bucks had evaporated with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo injured his knee about midway through the third quarter and his team down 10 points. As soon as the Greek Freak left, Atlanta blew open the game. In 24 minutes, Giannis had 14 points and eight rebounds with a minus-11 rating.
It’s not known what the injury is as of this writing. There are rumours out there it could be an ACL issue, which would end Giannis’ season and obviously change this series in a big way. Just rumours at this point. It was originally called a hyperextended left knee. Antetokounmpo jumped up to contest an alley-oop and landed awkwardly with his knee buckling. We are going to pick this game as if he’s NOT playing. If Giannis does play, regardless of Young, flip the score below. The Bucks are 0-4 ATS in their past four following a double-digit loss.
ATL
MIL